peace in the storm

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41

Jesus got into the boat with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. The water was calm and still and soon he was asleep. A storm started to brew, however, and it must have felt like the mother of all storms. For the disciples weren't sure they were going to make it. They were overcome with feelings of anxiety and fear and rushed to the Lord, waking him out of his sleep: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Have you ever had that kind of experience? Perhaps you've been in peaceful circumstances and then one unexpected phone call brings a raging storm into your life. It threatens to overwhelm and engulf you. And as you pray, it seems as if the Lord is asleep. Then, as the storm worsens, you begin to panic.

That's how the disciples felt. But when Jesus got up, he spoke to the wind and waves. With a simple word he stilled the waters.

The children of Israel panicked when they faced the Red Sea. The disciples panicked when they faced the Sea of Galilee. What is the raging water in your life? What is causing you to panic? Have you forgotten that you have a Savior who really does care? You may be thinking, Why doesn't he still my waters? Here's some really good news: He will still your waters. But only at the right moment. You may get wet. You may even get soaked, but God will help you.

Years ago, Martyn Lloyd-Jones commented that in many circumstances of life, faith is a refusal to panic. When feelings of anxiety have us in their grip, we can remember this truth—believing that Jesus has everything under his control.

After Jesus calmed the storm, he looked at the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” You may feel that you don't have a lot of faith. That's okay. God knows and he hasn't forgotten you. He will quiet your storm when the time is right. —Steve Farrar

seeking: Father, what storm have you started to quiet in my heart this day? What has peace meant to me this moment?

responding: How have I been reacting to the storms of life? • What does my faith mean to me in times of crisis? • What will be required for me to grow in my faith?

Father, you are the only one who can calm the storms of life. I cry out to you, acknowledging my need for you and your peace. I praise you for the faith you have allowed me to know. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: No storm is greater than God's peace.

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